Creating the futures we desire - getting the whole ... - Bruce Nixon

Creating the futures we desire - getting the whole system into
the room: part II
Bruce Nixon
The Authors
Bruce Nixon, Independent Consultant, Bruce Nixon Associates,ruce Nixon, Independent
consultant and author, Berkhamsted, Herts. He can be contacted via: Tel/Fax: 44-
(0)1442-864856. E-mail: brucenixon@waitrose.com
Abstract
For our organizations to flourish, they need to engage the intelligence, creativity and
energy of the whole workforce and involve all stakeholders. One way of doing this is to
use whole system approaches to planning and implementing change and what have come
to be known as large group methods. This article, the second of two parts, describes two
further well-tried methods: real time strategic change and search conferences. It also
compares the four methods outlined in the two articles and draws conclusions.
Industrial and Commercial Training, Volume 30 Number 2 1998 pp. 71-76, Copyright ©
MCB University Press ISSN 0019-7858
Introduction
This is the second and final part of a two-part article about whole system approaches to
planning and implementing strategic change. The processes commonly used have come
to be known as large group interventions. The first part described the benefits of using
these approaches and two of these processes: future search and open space technology.
The second part outlines real time strategic change and search conferences, makes some
comparisons between these four approaches and shares with you some of the conclusions
about their use.
Real time strategic change (RTSC)
Real time strategic change (RTSC) was developed by Kathie Dannemiller and Robert
Jacobs in the 1980s. Dannemiller Tyson Associates and Robert Jacobs and Frank
McKeown of 5 oceans are among leading exponents of RTSC in the USA and Vista
Consulting in the UK. Real time strategic change is "a principle based approach to
fundamental, organisation wide, rapid, sustainable change" (Jacobs, 1994).
The underlying principles are:
1 Treat current reality as a key driver. A continuous focus on the simultaneous
and sometimes conflicting realities which exist in the internal and external
environments.
2 Work in real time. Simultaneous planning and implementation of individual,
group and organisation or community-wide changes. "`Real time' means working
through real issues, with real people affected by them and getting real results"
(Jacobs, 1994).
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